Group IMSI Addressing for M2M Device Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) devices increases, existing systems face challenges in efficiently managing the large number of operational and signaling procedures, particularly in addressing and authenticating devices using unique International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers, which can lead to IMSI address exhaustion and increased deployment costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus for M2M communications that group wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) with the same IMSI (Group IMSI or G-IMSI) to allow collective addressing and authentication, enabling a single IMSI to serve multiple devices within a geographical area, thereby reducing the need for individual IMSI management and optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each M2M device is assigned a unique IMSI number for individual addressing and authentication, then device identification and authentication are achieved, but IMSI address space is exhausted and deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual device identities into a single group identity (G-IMSI). Multiple M2M devices are assigned the same group IMSI number, allowing them to be collectively identified and authenticated as a group rather than requiring individual unique IMSI numbers for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The group IMSI number serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a collective identifier for multiple devices, provides group-level authentication, and enables resource sharing. This universal identifier replaces the need for multiple individual identifiers.
2Measurement precision
If individual IMSI management is implemented for each M2M device, then precise device tracking is achieved, but operational complexity and deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines individual device management operations into group-level management. The network can manage multiple devices through a single G-IMSI, reducing the complexity of IMSI allocation, authentication, and tracking while maintaining the ability to identify and control specific devices within the group when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of unique IMSI numbers are allocated to support growing M2M device populations, then device coverage is improved, but resource allocation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The group IMSI number provides universal identification for multiple devices, allowing the system to scale to support large numbers of M2M devices without proportionally increasing the number of IMSI numbers required. A single G-IMSI can represent multiple devices, improving resource allocation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of grouping to the traditional individual device identification model. Instead of only individual device-level IMSI assignment, it adds a group level where multiple devices share a common identifier, creating a hierarchical identification structure that improves scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications between a controller and a group of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), each WTRU within the group having a same international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).